2003 Lexus RX 330 from North America - Comments

26th Jul 2007, 17:29

I have a 2006 RX 330, and since day 1 have a similar problem. Lexus is no help, but I'm trying to be persistent. They keep lying to me, every time give me a different rep that suppose to contact me "within a few days". I am a loyal Lexus customer for the last 11 years, but after this car it will definitely change. Please, DO NOT BUY LEXUS.

25th Aug 2007, 11:44

I purchased a 2005 RX 330 in June of 2005 and I also have had it in for the slipping transmission problem. They first said they couldn't duplicate the problem. Next, they updated the software. Now at 20,000 miles we still have the same problem. I love the 330 but not how Lexus deals with the truth about the transmission.

11th Oct 2007, 01:25

October 7, 2007. I received a loaner from a car dealer here in Oakland, CA--Lexus 2004 RX 330. I noticed after driving the car for an hour in the freeway that the transmission is not the smoothest. When you drive in stop-and-go traffic, coasting and accelerating, you will notice the jerkiness when you accelerate. So when you coast and the tachometer drops to about 1000-1200 rpm, you will feel the car jerk when you try to accelerate. I think the transmission ends up in the wrong gear. Thank god it is a loaner... now I know not to buy one!

27th Oct 2007, 22:04

I own a 95 Lexus ES 300 (had it since 2000). No major problems... pleasure to drive.

Based on this vehicle, I purchased an 04 ES330 used (33k miles) without test driving. Big mistake!!! Don't get me wrong... the build quality is far ahead of the other cars in its class (Acura TL, G35, BMW 335), but the ECU controlled tranny is a nightmare. The car also feels severely under powered (where's the 225hp?).

I replaced the air filter (K&N) and installed a performance exhaust (Magnaflow)... hoping to increase hp and improve acceleration. I also had the dealership (great service) update the ECU for the smoother shifting. The car performs better than it did before, but the jerkiness is still evident from time to time (the car takes up to 2 weeks to adjust to the driver). Acceleration from 0 to 60 is better, but the car seems to struggle on the highway at speeds of 80mph and higher (boring to drive).

While the ES330 was in the dealership, I was given a loaner. The difference between the 2004 and 2007 (ES350) is night and day. The hesitation is minimal and it accelerates like a rocket. Interior materials are cheaper though.

Final verdict... I'll trade the 2004 and probably go with Infiniti. Lexus dropped the ball!!!

7th Mar 2008, 11:47

I totally agree with the majority-the Lexus RX-330 has serious transmission problems. I bought mine in 2003 and thought it was because it was an early model. I loved the car so I endured endless trips to the dealer complaining about the jerking transmission. They checked it, re-programmed it, but never fixed it. They would tell me they couldn't duplicate it. They also told me to use high test gas, drive it like a sixteen year old, and I was imagining it. (Yeah, I love to waste my time at a dealership when I'm not working!)

21st Jun 2008, 15:30

I had the same problem with my 2004 RX330 Transmission wise. The factory rep said to use 93 octane and to change my driving method. He also said he would extend the factory warranty, and provide me with a $2000.00 off on my next Lexus. When I told him that is not acceptable, and I am going to utilize the Florida lemon law, the extended warranty or the 2000.00 letter never materialized. Trying to get these items from Lexus didn't happen either. They never heard of the rep. They did give me a free 60000 mile oil change. The dealer tried, but the factory was of no help in solving the problem. BMW here I come.

28th Dec 2008, 11:32

I bought my '04 RX330 in March of '03. At first the transmission was quiet but shifted erratic. Sometimes it would seem to skip a gear. Nothing has changed, at 75000 miles it's still that way. The gears have begun to whine and make noise, especially between 40-50 mph where I do much of my driving. Lexus says it is all normal and as designed. It is terribly frustrating and even embarrassing when I have passengers. The gear whine sounds like a 2-ton truck with worn out differential ring and pinion. Several trips to the dealer and no fix, even after I bought an extended service policy. I will not buy another Lexus or Toyota product. Jerry.

26th Mar 2009, 20:36

Our '04 RX330 has been in and out of the shop for the last month with a rough, erratic shifting transmission. We have 38,000 miles on it. The dealer has reprogrammed the trans twice with no improvement. They suggested we run premium fuel in it, which is strange considering the 330 does not require it. Band-Aid attempts all, they certainly do not instill a sense of quality in the product... why mess around? Just fix the damned thing already.

10th Jul 2009, 13:27

I bought my 2004 RX330 new. After a few weeks, I noticed a transmission problem, mainly uneven shifts and jerky shifts. I took it in, they said it worked fine. I took it back, again and again, and was told everything from I wasn't driving it right to Its working as designed, to It is a new drive-by-wire system that still being ironed out. On 2 occasions, they reloaded the software. After the third software reload, the problem was fixed. I have no idea what version of software finally cured the problem, but if I hadn't been insistent, it would never have been fixed. Last Lexus I will ever buy!

15th Jun 2010, 07:32

I purchased a 2008 Lexus RX350 in March 2007, and it has been a noise nightmare ever since. I have had rattles in the dash, sunroof, hatch, driver side window frame, buzzing in the dash. Every winter there is a new rattle. When they fix one rattle, they create a new one. It takes them numerous attempts to fix one problem. Lexus Management ignore my requests to buy back this Lexus Lemon. What can I do?